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FCC Moves to End Cap on National Broadcast Ownership
Variety • • business
Key Points:
- The FCC plans to vote on August 6 to repeal the national TV ownership cap, which currently limits owners from controlling stations in more than 39% of markets, replacing it with a case-by-case review of transactions.
- Supporters, including FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and major station owners like Nexstar, argue the cap is outdated in the digital age where national programmers and streaming services reach 100% of the country without similar restrictions.
- Nexstar, which was blocked from acquiring Tegna due to the cap, supports the repeal, stating the rules were written before the rise of streaming platforms and no longer reflect the current competitive landscape.
- The National Association of Broadcasters also praised the move, saying it will help local stations compete better and serve their communities with trusted news and entertainment.
- The FCC emphasized that removing the cap does not guarantee approval of all transactions; deals will still be evaluated on whether they promote the public interest.
